Page 3 - KZN Business Sense - 7.5 eBook

CREATING SOLUTIONS THAT

TOUCH THE WORLD

Mzi Tyhokolo Nomphikeleli Tyhokolo Sarah, Soraya and Luke Tyhokolo
zi Tyhokolo describes my background in chemistry single mother one of those was inspiration. “She did not have
himself as a typical and decided that this is where I to become a father figure within much to work with or much of an potential energy stored which
MSouth African. He would build a career. I stayed in the family. “This role helped education but was able to build needs to be unleashed. “We
was born and raised in the Free the gas space and developed my shaped my character from an a strong family foundation and always talk of ourselves as the
State by a single mother. His knowledge in the energy sector, early age and is the reason for raise six grandchildren, while her second largest trader of natural
education was traditional, and which brought me to a place whom I am today.” own children were out at work gas in the country – second only
a Sasol bursary enabled him to where I now lead the second trying to eke out a living. She was to Sasol Gas. However, we have
study chemistry at the University largest gas trading company in The first multiracial that dependable, capable beacon achieved so much in a short
of KwaZulu-Natal from where he South Africa.” environment that Mzi was in, was of hope. I do what I do today, in period of having been in business.
graduated with honours. Mzi then In commenting on challenges in his first year of university. “The her memory.” I certainly believe we can lead
went to work at Sasol Gas where he has faced in his journey to the cultural shock, the transition that the natural gas revolution in this
his long journey within the gas was needed, my ability to adapt or The second source of country, and I want SLG in my
industry started. He joined SLG top, Mzi said that his was a typical die meant some big calls needed inspiration is his family. “They time as a leader to actually be very
life of a black South African
in 2006 where his 14 year career born in the mid-1970s growing to be made. It was at a time in inspire me every day to get up much advanced in achieving that
resulted in his appointment as South Africa where we just got and do what I do and achieve goal or have achieved it before I
Group CEO SLG in 2020. up in various townships where introduced to democracy, with all the dreams that I have for transition to wherever else I wind
challenges abounded. “We faced the turmoil that brought. If you myself. I’ve always aspired to up. I think that the team I have
Reflecting on his education, Mzi challenges every day.” made it through those days, then live a life of significance. I want around me today is very well
commented, “I have gathered to live, not just be alive – there capable of getting us there.”
One of the challenges that stands the South Africa of today is a little
many other qualifications along out for him is that Mzi thought bit of a breeze.” is a major difference.”
the way, but I speak fondly of that his education would not Mzi finds it hard to disconnect
my time at the University of Mzi believes that his successes Mzi’s goals for the future are to or let off some steam as there
KwaZulu-Natal because that progress beyond matric “simply are driven by two things. He build a legacy where people can is always “something you are
because there was no money
is where my beginning is.” for further education”. “I can explains, “I always refer to myself say that they were inspired to thinking about”. However, what
Mzi also holds an MBA degree as a pit-bull. If I set my mind achieve what they have by him. helps him to disconnect from
from UNISA among his other remember sitting and agonising on something it takes quite a He explained, “I get commitment the world is fishing. “I am an
over the future that I wanted
postgraduate qualifications. lot to knock me down. I am the from my team by looking in the avid bass angler which I do
to have, which was to become a guy who says as long as I have mirror. By that I mean that I with diligence and craziness
During his school years, Mzi medical doctor and wondering an ability to keep going, I am don’t follow people who impose sometimes. I also represent the
dreamt of becoming a doctor just how I would achieve this going to keep going. Once I start authority. My type of leadership country in international events –
and in particular a paediatrician dream. I wrote twenty-four letters it’s very hard to stop until I see is transformational or servant that is the one space that when the
because he has a love for children applying for bursaries to various the results of my pursuit. I have leadership; humility is huge. I whistle blows for us to start my
and has always wanted to make institutions. Twenty-two came resilience to be able to stay the try to be that person that they mind thinks of nothing else but
them feel good. “My second back with replies saying ‘declined’ course – falling but knowing want to be. The team at SLG don’t the fish. It’s my therapy, it’s my
choice was science because I because no one was giving exactly how to get up and I think actually have to follow me, I want psychiatrist and it is everything
thought that if I could not be a bursaries for medical students in that I need to recharge and to be
doctor, I would be involved in those days. It was heart-breaking that comes from my childhood. them to choose to follow me. I do able to face the world again the
what I need to do in order for that
As a child I never had much but
creating the solutions that would and it’s one of my earliest next day.”
ultimately touch the world in one challenges; wherein you had a I had a mind, so I tried to access to happen.” In concluding, Mzi says his
all the possibilities of getting
way or another.” dream and the biggest decision In respect of business goals, motto to live by is: “If you are
that you had to make was how do something done. I always believe Mzi believes that SLG is a little
Although chemistry wasn’t you make it happen? Subsequent that if your intention is not to going to do anything, give it your
Mzi’s first choice for a career he succeed at something then don’t ‘dynamite’, that has much all, and do it to your utmost.” 
quickly realised that mainstream to that challenge everything else start – it’s a waste of energy.”
has looked minor. If you develop
chemistry was not in line with big muscles to deal with big issues
his personality, and he had Secondly, family life is
long discussions with the Sasol quite early in your life you get important to Mzi, and he tries SCAN
some resilience, which helps you
human resources department overcome most things.” to give as much as possible to QR CODE
to change careers. He was everyone who depends on him –
advised to complete his degree Mzi is the first-born child in his wife and his children as well as TO SEE
and soon after graduation found his family so there were big his mother and his brothers. VIDEO
himself in technical sales on expectations placed on him. Significantly, Mzi says that
the gas marketing side. “I used Because he was raised by a his grandmother is his primary
(Open the camera on your phone and hover steadily for 2-3 seconds over the QR Code to see the video.)

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